If only we could pair the Seattle Seahawks defense with the New Orleans Saints offense to create a dominant force in the NFC. Unfortunately for each team, the opposite side of the ball isn’t nearly as good. Coming off the first tie in team history, a game in which they failed to score a touchdown, the Seahawks will look to end that slump against one of the worst defensive units in the league. While not as bad as the historically awful group from last season, the Saints continue to have difficulty stopping teams. Something has to give in this Week 8 matchup.
Watch this regular season Week 8 matchup live on Sunday, October 30, 2016, at 1 p.m. ET at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.
NFL Odds at BookMaker.eu
Seattle Seahawks -3
New Orleans Saints +3
Over/Under 47.5
Odds Analysis
The Saints have scored plenty of points in their three previous home games, but so have their opponents. Over bettors cashed out each time in those games. But this contest presents a different challenge for New Orleans. The total opened relatively low at 48 and was quickly wagered down a half point following Seattle’s display on Sunday night. The under looks like a strong play even if the total drops before kickoff.
Injury Report
Bradley Sowell – The Seahawks did very little on offense in their Sunday night tie, getting just two field goals on 13 possessions. Now the group may have to push forward without its starting left tackle after Sowell sustained a leg injury against the Cards.
Senio Kelemete – For Drew Brees to put up his ridiculous numbers, he needs the offensive line to provide some protection. While the group has done a nice job, it thinned out following the loss of backup Kelemete to a neck injury. Kelemete was starting in place of the injured Andrus Peat and his departure forced the Saints to dig deep into the reserve pool.
Matchup to Watch
Take away Russell Wilson’s mobility and his ability to scramble and improvise in the pocket and he’s just another average NFL quarterback. On Sunday night he was below average. Clearly bothered by the ankle and knee injuries sustained earlier in the year, Wilson and the Seattle offense did very little against the Cardinals, but enough to forge a 6-6 tie that benefits the Seahawks more than the Cards. But Seattle’s offense has some serious issues if Wilson is unable to do what he does best.
New Orleans isn’t as strong defensively as Arizona, so Wilson has that going for him. But the Seahawks have struggled for most of the year, beginning with the opener against Miami and their failure to score a touchdown against the Rams. Clearly Wilson is still hampered by those injuries and the offensive line hasn’t been strong enough to allow him time in the pocket. The Saints will pressure Wilson and while they may not be as effective as Arizona was, they should disrupt the offense enough to keep the score below the total.
Free ATS Pick
If you’re a fan of old-fashioned smash-mouth football then you gotta love the Seahawks. The defense is clearly the driving force behind their record and first place standing in the NFC West, and they shut down a good Arizona team on Sunday night. The effort was even more spectacular considering the unit was on the field for nearly 42 minutes and 87 plays. That’s a lot and the guys didn’t wilt. The D knows it’s up to them to keep the team in games, and when the pressure is on, they deliver.
The Seahawks better figure things out on offense or the season could go south in a hurry. But the return of Jimmy Graham to the Superdome and his increased usage in the stagnant Seattle offense could be what it takes for the Seahawks to break through on the scoreboard. I expect the offense to show a little more life against a bad Saints defense and the Seahawks will limit Brees. It won’t be easy in the Big Easy, but Seattle does enough to claim a victory in what turns out to be a low-scoring affair by New Orleans standards.
NFL Odds: Seahawks 24, Saints 20
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